30 November | Youth
«Elijah […] prayed earnestly […]; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.» James 5:17
It is natural for parents and teachers to rejoice when children and students become independent. In our relationship with God, the opposite occurs. Depending on Him does not make us childish, but it makes us grow and prosper. This is the inexplicable miracle of faith.
An example of this happened in 2019, at Southwestern Adventist University, in the United States. The actors, costume designers and extras were prepared to present a Passion of Christ pageant, the most anticipated event of the year. There was only a “small” problem: rain. The open-air play depended on good weather, but that Saturday the risk of canceling the celebration was real. The day before, the director warned those involved: “You will receive a text message half an hour before the show in case the event is suspended. Until then, be prepared. We will wait until the last minute.” Some church members spent the night in prayer, but nothing seemed to indicate that the rain would stop.
The man playing “Peter” was nervous. It was already past 7 a.m., and the first act was scheduled to start at 9 a.m. Shortly before 8 a.m., however, the rain eased, and at 9 a.m., just as planned, a small, euphoric and impressed crowd witnessed the miracle that, for some, was no more than a stroke of luck. The rain stopped and the pageant was able to take place.
However, as the day went on, they discovered that the rain hadn't really stopped. It stopped only on the university campus. The entire surrounding area remained under rain for several hours until the day ended, leaving many astounded, more because of the wonders of Heaven than because of the spectacle of men.
Our unbelief will never stop God from acting. However, our lack of faith does have the power to limit God's action in our lives. Today, the Lord invites you to live an experience of trust in Him. God's blessing for you will flow, always depending on how much you depend on Him; and not on the Lord's desire to bless you. He always wants to. “Let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach […]. But let him ask in faith” (James 1:5-6). God has not changed. How about you? Do you want to change to be the way He expects you to be?